Grooving in The Grove

Grooving in The Grove

Summer is always the heyday for live entertainment, so its only natural that this season has brought two new concert venues to St. Louis music-loversboth located in The Grove.

The Demo, formerly known as The Fox Hole, books an eclectic mix of rising stars. The venue’s simplicity provides a blank canvas for a wide range of musicians, and it boasts brand-new sound and lighting systems. Concertgoers appreciate that The Demo’s intimate setting brings them close to the music, and the excellent bar food and drinks from the adjacent Atomic Cowboy don’t hurt, either. Hip-hop, rock and indie acts form the backbone of the lineup, but keep an eye on the calendar for concerts showcasing anything from electronic dance music to metal and everything in between. Punk-influenced Tim Barry performs Aug. 7 with folk singer-songwriters Cory Branan and Bryan McPherson. 4144 Manchester Ave., thedemostl.com.

Named for one of the lesser-known movies of St. Louis-native actor Vincent Price, The Mad Magician is a place for rock ‘n’ roll fans to enjoy the music of up-and-coming bands from St. Louis and across the country. A high-quality sound system and LED lighting that co-owner John Mancuso describes as “pretty ridiculous” make this a venue that independent and newly signed bands from across the rock spectrum are itching to play. Low cover charges, plenty of free parking and drink prices more like a neighborhood bar than a concert venue will undoubtedly draw music fans all summer long. 5625 Manchester Ave., facebook.com/madmagician.